January 30, 2010

Back in the ‘60s, a songwriter and a publisher were supposed to split two cents for every record sold. When the infamous but charming, Morris Levy (Roulette records) asked for a “special rate” of one-half cent per song on my Shadow Mann album, I laughed and said, “Sure, why not? You’re not going to pay us anyway!”

Today writers and publishers divide upwards of eight cents for every unit sold and sometimes share hundreds of thousands of dollars that come for licensing fees from films, TV, and commercials.

Since I resumed writing and as well as pushing other people’s songs using the Internet, dozens of people I know from back in the day have been in touch with me to breath new life into their catalog and get new recordings on their songs. Unfortunately, many of these people are nefarious characters and are notorious for screwing anyone they can, and I’d be stupid to do any business with any of them. Needless to say I’m also wary of anyone I’ve never dealt with before, so I make sure I get a fee up front against a percentage of whatever income I’m able to generate, but even so I get taken in at times.

A top writer from the ‘60s, I knew casually, asked me to get a former number one song of his to Miley Cyrus, which I did foolishly, before I had an agreement with him. I stopped trying to deal with him when he became evasive. I never told him that I had played it already for one of Miley’s producers who flipped out over his song. I also never told him that I lied to the producer and told him Carrie Underwood had just cut the song, which of course stopped Miley from recording it!

A few days ago, I got a call from one of the owners (whom I’ve never met) of a publishing company I once was signed to. He wanted me to share my intimate knowledge of his catalog, and asked if I wanted to show some of his copyrights. He said was willing to give me a percentage, but not pay me a fee which…of course I wasn’t interested in.

When he mentioned, however, that he was considering selling his publishing company for $300,000 (10 times recent earnings) my eyes lit up and off the top of my head I came up with a unique idea to sell his company for a million dollars instead, in a way that’s never been done before…an innovation sure to make the front page of Billboard Magazine!

He thought it was a great idea and asked me to draw him up a proposal. He only had two songs that were bringing any income in the catalog, and I knew I could get hit covers on them as well as about 15 other “undiscovered” gems, but I played it cool as he was trying to pick my brain. In my head I was casting his songs with artists I could get to…Beyonce…Adam Lambert…Alicia Keyes…etc. knowing that I could significantly increase the value of his underexploited catalog. Before I talked with him initially, I checked his two biggest titles on “Google”, and found a John Mayer performance video of one of his songs…which he didn’t know about. He didn’t even know who John Mayer was…but that’s why you hire someone like me.

I wonder why this guy hasn’t responded to my phone calls or e-mail, but if he’s thinking of “appropriating” my idea, he should be aware that he needs someone like me with the expertise to pull it off, as well as means to publicize the sale (like my blog with over 1,450,000 hits). He probably doesn’t know I’ll get a “Google Alert” the minute my idea goes up on the Internet, and I’ll jump in 30 minutes later offering one of my clients catalogs, and crush him in the marketplace..

Last week was my birthday, I was 39 for the 29th time, and I’m working harder than ever before. I’m still recovering from contacting every Michael Jackson fan club in the world to alert their members to my song “Little Christmas Tree”, which led to 110,000 views on YouTube during Christmas week. I’m also developing a few ideas for Tommy James (“I Think We’re Alone Now”, “Crimson and Clover”) who has a book coming out Feb.16 called “Me, The Mob, and The Music”. I hope he doesn’t go into some witness protection program before I have a chance to interview him!

Alan O’Day (Undercover Angel”, “Angie Baby”), DJ Paul Payton, and I are finishing up some demos to pitch to classic hits stations which could liven up their formats and attract new listeners. Finally I’m in the editing stages of my book, “I Did It For A Song”.

Of all the things I’m doing, however, I’ m most excited about reconnecting with hundreds of old friends on Facebook, Twitter, my blog, Forgotten Hits, and Spectropop, and helping them reconnect with each other. I just wish those who try to con me into doing one thing or another for free would stop…but I suppose a#@holes never take a day off!

January 25, 2010

How many times have you tried to think of a familiar name or place and come up blank? It’s right on the tip of your tongue, but you just can’t spit it out. Well the next time this happens you don’t have to get frustrated just sit down, lower your head, and do this exercise…

1. (Inhale) hold your breath for a count of Two………1…………….2………….(Exhale)

(Inhale) hold your breath for a count of Two………1…………….2………….(Exhale)

(Inhale) this time hold your breath for a count of Five
1………….2………..3…………4…………5………(Exhale)

2. Repeat this sequence called the 2-2-5 again

(Inhale) hold your breath for a count of Two………1…………….2………….(Exhale)

(Inhale) hold your breath for a count of Two………1…………….2………….(Exhale)

(Inhale) this time hold your breath for a count of Five
1………….2………..3…………4…………5……….(Exhale)

Then look up and slowly turn your head from left to right. The blood flow to your brain in this relaxed state will open a mental file that will make you remember the name or place that eluded you moments ago.

It might be simple but it works every time. Unlocking Lost Memories is only one of the discoveries I made on the way to my inner self. They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Here’s how I began mine.

“In 1973, I accompanied one of our Warner Brothers staff songwriters, George Clinton Jr. (who went on write the score for three “Austin Powers” movies), to the Tokyo Music Festival. It was my first trip to Japan, and I was impressed how well organized the large masses of people were. Over the years my heavy workload, beautiful women and other excesses used up too much time and too many emotions. I knew I had to find a way to learn how to really focus.

When I got back to the states, I decided to look into deep relaxation techniques. I went to see my Chiropractor and friend, Dr. Floyd Taylor who had developed remarkable physical, mental and spiritual methods of healing after his plane was shot down in World War Two. Over time, and through much pain, he was able to correct his bone structure and musculature, which left him bent over and unable to walk. His super-posture and confident stride was proof positive that his methods work. He not only told me that deep relaxation techniques could help attain my goal to focus, it could help the severe back pain I suffered from congenital scoliosis. He said I could learn to go below the pain level and function better. He also mysteriously hinted that the deeper I went, the more “things” I would discover.

My equally adventuresome friend, Patti Dahlstrom (who introduced me to Dr. Taylor), was just as fascinated with the possibilities of these deep relaxation techniques as I was. We both took private lessons from Dr. Taylor’s friend, Henry Mundt.

I was helped immediately by what he taught me especially “ The 2-2-5 “ a simple breathing exercise that I continue to use everyday when I need to calm down.

When I wanted to go deeper…Here are the simple steps Hank Mundt taught me.

First…in a quiet, semi-darkened room with your eyes closed, lie down on your back on a bed or a couch or sit up in a straight chair with your feet flat on the floor, palms upward.

1. (Inhale) hold your breath for a count of Two………1…………….2………….(Exhale)

(Inhale) hold your breath for a count of Two………1…………….2………….(Exhale)

(Inhale) this time hold your breath for a count of Five
1………….2………..3…………4…………5………(Exhale)

2. Repeat this sequence called the 2-2-5 again

(Inhale) hold your breath for a count of Two………1…………….2………….(Exhale)

(Inhale) hold your breath for a count of Two………1…………….2………….(Exhale)

(Inhale) this time hold your breath for a count of Five
1………….2………..3…………4…………5……….(Exhale)

3. Visualize a flight of stairs and starting at the number 100, count backwards slowly to the number 1, seeing each number as you descend…100……………..99………………98……………etc.

4. When you reach the bottom, say over and over, ”Positive thinking brings results I desire. Positive thinking brings results I desire.” You feel more and more relaxed as you visualize what you want to accomplish. “Positive thinking brings results I desire”…”Positive thinking brings results I desire”

5. Once you’ve repeated it ten times, visualize taking an elevator up to the place where you started

6. You feel relaxed and refreshed…ready to take on the world.”

Over the years, I’ve developed meditation techniques that take me deeper than I ever imagined.. Now I have the ability to go below emotional, mental, and physical levels of pain and function like never before. I’ve been able to control a bi-polar disorder, depression, dyslexia, and an attention deficit disorder…without using drugs. I’ve increased my focus and powers of concentration, as well as ability to access long lost memories whenever I choose..

January 25, 2010

Before the ink dried on Conan O’Brian’s exit papers from NBC, Rupert Murdoch, owner of the FOX TV Network, announced in a pre-dawn breakfast press conference at McDonald’s, that O’Brian would be hosting a late night TV show on FOX starting at 11:00 weeknights starting in September.

Murdoch congratulated himself several times for luring the comedian to Fox, even though it meant giving O’Brian complete artistic control, without censorship of any kind…not to mention $100,000,000 in cash!

The name of the new show is “F#@K ‘EM IF THEY CAN’T TAKE A JOKE” and the format is anybody’s guess. There is no truth to the rumor, however, that Sarah Palin, who was signed to FOX a few weeks ago will be O’Brian’s new sidekick.

January 18, 2010

Dick Holler, wrote one of the most important songs of our generation, “Abraham, Martin, and John”. Here is Dion performing his hit version on the Smothers Brothers Show, “Moms” Mabley’s heartfelt version produced by Barry Oslander, and Marvin Gaye and his stellar rendition.

January 12, 2010

IN THE PAST WEEK I’VE RECEIVED FIVE NOTICES FROM “YAHOO” THAT THEY WERE GOING TO SHUT DOWN MY ACCOUNT UNLESS I GAVE THEM PRIVATE INFORMATION. I SUSPECTED THEM IMMEDIATELY AND CONTACTED THE REAL YAHOO FOR HELP…IT’S BEEN A WEEK AND STILL NO RESPONSE FROM THE REAL YAHOO!!!

I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I HAD A SIMILAR SITUATION WITH G MAIL WHO STOPPED MY HARASSMENT WITHIN 12 HOURS!!! I’M VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE VERY SUCCESSFUL BLOG WITH OVER 1,400,000 VIEWS MAYBE SOMEONE AMONG MY THOUSANDS OF READERS CAN HELP ME!!!

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January 10, 2010

In the past I’ve been called bold, fearless, and challenging, but by today’s standards…I just might be called crazy! When I look at all the trouble the Sahalis got into for crashing President Obama first dinner party. I think about all of the parties, receptions, shows, and events I’ve gotten into without an invitation.

I developed the art of sneaking in backstage at Alan Freed Rock and Roll Shows in the “50s so I could get “discovered”. I would wait by the stage door and help one of the acts carry a guitar in and “looked like I belonged.”

In the ‘60s I got into private clubs during freezing cold New York winters by walking through exit doors backwards, in a thin jacket, convincing security I’d already been inside. I attended Beatle and Rolling Stone press conferences and concerts because I “looked like I belonged”. I’ve attended some of the most expensive events in the world without having a ticket….once I even made it into Buckingham Palace! One of the craziest things I pulled off 20 years ago would surely get me arrested if I tried it today!

“One quiet afternoon I get a call at my Hollywood apartmet from someone with an English accent named Lynn Douglas (not her real name), looking for producer Shel Talmy (The Who, The Kinks). I tell her that Shel was staying with me for a while, but has gone back to the UK. When she says that Shel’s the only one she knows in Hollywood, I introduce myself and ask if she’s the same Lady who teaches Yoga on TV.

When she says yes, gentleman that I am, I ask out to dinner. When I pick her up, she looks even more beautiful than she does on television.

For the next 10 days I take her to parties, clubs and out to dinners, but she won’t let me get past first base with her. She says she’s going back to London in a few days and doesn’t want to have an affair with someone she may never see again”

Over the next few days, my creative juices are about to explode, but I restrain myself, and start to sublimate my feelings in a song. I want to play it for her before she leaves for the airport, but the man at the hotel desk says she’s gone.

I jump in my car and race out to LAX, fortunately I know what gate she’s leaving from. Just like in the Carlos Castaneda’s’ book, Patti Dahlstrom gave me, “Journey To Ixtalan”, where the protagonist shows a blank piece of paper to a train conductor collecting fares and is given a seat, I smile and show the pretty stewardess at the gate an airline schedule I found on the floor, and she lets me on the plane!

I find Lynn sitting halfway down the plane as I stand above her, I smile and start to sing. When I finish the other passengers start to applaud. An embarrassed, but flattered Lynn gives me a kiss, as I’m escorted off the plane by a stewardess, who can’t help but smile.

The next day I play “If All We Have Is This Moment” for Ann Munday at Chrysalis Music who buys half the publishing rights from me for $5,000 allowing me to follow Lynn and my heart to London, as soon as I can.”